She was born with profound hearing problems and taught herself to lip read just to get by.

But she has now set up a support group to help others who suffer with communication difficulties.

RICHARD MENNEAR caught up with her.



IT'S something most of us take for granted.

Being able to communicate is an important facet of our lives.

But for Carolyn O'Rourke, it is something she has had to work hard at.

"It wasn't until the age of 11 that doctors diagnosed me as being profoundly deaf. Up until that point I had managed to survive by teaching myself to lip read," said Carolyn.

"That was more than 30 years ago and things were different back then.

There wasn't as much support or understanding as there is now for people with hearing problems."

The lack of support that she received as a youngster has made her determined to help others, especially children, access services and feel part of the community.

The divorced mother-of-three, who is wheelchair bound and suffers from asthma and arthritis, set up Deaf Autistic Disabled Advocacy (DADA) in May, this year.

The volunteer-run group, which supports deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people, is based at Hartlepool People Centre, in Raby Road.

Carolyn, who is chair of the group, said: "We try to help people with simple things like sorting out their rent, council tax and accessing other council services.

"If someone has a communication problem they can come and see us and we will tell them what they need to know and where they need to go.

"It always has to be the person's choice though. There is nothing like us in Hartlepool and we are trying to get to as many community groups and meetings to make people deaf aware.

"Just because we are deaf or hard of hearing doesn't mean we don't want to be involved in what is happening in the community."

Carolyn, who has three children, Stephen, 28, Maryjane, 27 and 23-year-old Joseph, also has two grandchildren.

Carolyn, who also suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a disease of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed, said: "Being able to communicate with people is so important because if I take my hearing aid out I can hear nothing.

"People do forget I'm deaf sometimes because my speech is so good. If they turn their heads away I have to remind them that I need to see their lips move.

"My daughter has learned the basics and my grandchildren are also showing an interest which is great to see."

The group, which has around 20 members, works closely with Hartlepool Borough Council and provides access to other services including opticians and dentists.

Carolyn added: "With the deaf centre closing I was very worried that deaf people in Hartlepool would miss out on things so we are trying to bridge that gap.

"It has gone very well since the group was launched and we are hoping to expand the membership and develop a website so people can communicate with us outside of office hours."

"I would like to thank everybody at the Hartlepool Voluntary Development Agency (HVDA), the FE College for their support and the Hartlepool People Centre."

DADA provide invaluable support to people like Eric Muspratt, a Hartlepool resident who is now the group's vice-treasurer.

Mr Muspratt, 63, said: "I have been deaf all of my life and this group has given me a new lease of life. Coming here means I am not stuck at home all of the time."

The father-of four, from the Rossmere area of town, added: "The support for deaf people is much better these days."

Carolyn, who lives in the Owton Manor area of town, is also hoping to become a full-time sign language tutor within the next year.

She is currently studying and wants to work with children in particular.

"I want to do it for the simple fact that if you have a deaf child it is completely down to the parents to learn sign language in order to communicate.

"If that doesn't happen then the child can feel excluded."

The management committee meets on a regular basis and they are always looking for new members. An interpreter is present at meetings and minutes are provided in British Sign Language.

The group meets on Mondays between 10am and noon, Wednesdays between 4pm and 8pm and on Fridays between 10am and noon.

For more information about the group email carolyn.orourke@ntlworld.com, call (07533) 561 618 or text only to (07827) 666314.